Team America - which follows an American paramilitary force thwarting a plan for world domination by North Korea's then-leader Kim Jong-il - was selected as an apt replacement by a number of US cinemas.

The Alamo Drafthouse in Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the theatres that has had to backtrack on its decision to show the marionette-led comedy.

Due to to circumstances beyond our control, the TEAM AMERICA 12/27 screening has been cancelled. We apologize & will provide refunds today.

Aaron Sorkin also criticised the US media for its handling of the ongoing story, saying: "The wishes of the terrorists were fulfilled in part by easily distracted members of the American press who chose gossip and schadenfreude-fueled reporting over a story with immeasurable consequences for the public."